§ 41. Mr. S. O. Daviesasked the Minister of Education if he will now make a statement on the effect on our schools' staffs of the award of special allowances to certain teachers, causing thereby in a large number of cases the payment of different salaries to persons equally qualified and of equal experience and performing similar duties; and if he will cause an inquiry to be made with a view to remedying this anomaly.
§ Mr. TomlinsonUnder the current Burnham scales the local education authority is given discretion within limits to determine the number of posts of special responsibility and the amount of the allowances. This provision, which follows a similar provision in the previous report, received the fullest consideration by the Committee and I see no grounds for a special inquiry.
§ Mr. DaviesIs my right hon. Friend aware that in many cases these awards are automatically granted every year to members of the staff, and is he not also aware that greater use of these awards is now being made by certain local authorities to try to attract teachers into their employment, and do not these circumstances justify a full inquiry into these matters?
§ Mr. TomlinsonI would certainly not accept the first two suggestions made by the hon. Member, and, therefore, the third does not arise.